N7-DNA: Synthesis and Base Pairing of Oligonucleotides Containing N7-(2-Deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)guanine (N7Gd)

The synthesis of oligonucleotides containing N⁷-(2-deoxy-β-D -erythro-pentofuranosyl)guanine (N⁷G_d; 1 ) is described. Compound 1 was prepared by nucleobase-anion glycosylation of 2-amino-6-methoxypurine ( 5 ) with 2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-(4-toluoyl)-α-D -erythro-pentofuranosyl chloride ( 6 ) followed by detoluoylation and displacement of the MeO group ( 8→10→1 ). Upon base protection with the (dimethylamino)methylidene residue (→ 11 ) the 4,4-dimethoxytrityl group was introduced at OH? C(5′) (→ 12 ). The phosphonate 3 and the phosphoramidite 4 were prepared and used in solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis. The self-complementary dodecamer d(N⁷G? C)₆ shows sigmoidal melting. The T_m of the duplex is 40°. This demonstrates that guanine residues linked via N(7) of purine to the phosphodiester backbone are able to undergo base pairing with cytosine.     

2′-Deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosides of N6-Methylated 7-Deazaadenine and 8-Aza-7-deazaadenine: Solid-phase synthesis of oligodeoxyribonucleotides and properties of self-complementary duplexes

The syntheses of 7-deaza-N⁶-methyladenine N⁹-(2′-deoxy-β-D -ribofuranoside) ( 2 ) as well as of 8-aza-7-deaza-N⁶-methyladenine N⁸? and N⁹?(2′-deoxyribofuranosides) ( 3 and 4 , resp.) are described. A 4,4′-dimeth-oxylritylation followed by phosphitylation yielded the methyl phosphoramidites 12–14 . They were employed together with the phosphoramidite of 2′-deoxy-N⁶v-methyladenosine ( 15 ) in automated solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis. Alternating or palindromic oligonucleotides derived from d(A-T)₆ or d(A-T-G-C-A-G-A*-T-C-T-G-C-A) but containing one methylated pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine or pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine moiety in place of a N⁶-methylaminopurine (A*) were synthesized. Melting experiments showed that duplex destabilization induced by a N⁶-Me group of 2′-deoxy-N⁶-methyladenosine is reversed by incorporation of 8-aza-7-deaza-2′-deoxy-N⁶-meihyladenosine, whereas 7-deaza-2′-deoxy-N⁶-methyladenostne decreased the T_m value further. Regiospecific phosphodiester hydrolysis of d(A-T-G-C-A-G-m⁶A-T-C-T-G1-C-A) by the endodeoxyribonuclease Dpn I, yielding d(A-T-G-C-A-G-m⁶A) and d(pT-C-T-G-C-A), was prevented when the residue c⁷m⁶A_d ( 2 ), c⁷m⁶z⁸A_d ( 3 ), or c⁷m⁶z⁸A_d′ ( 4 ) replaced m⁶A_d ( 1 ) indicating that N(7) of N⁶-methyladenine is a proton-acceptor site for the endodeoxyribonuclease.     

1-(2′-Deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)thymine Building Blocks for Solid-Phase Synthesis and Properties of Oligo(2′-Deoxyxylonucleotides)

1-(2′-Deoxy-β-D -threo-pentofuranosyl)thymine (= 1-(2′-deoxy-β-D -xylofuranosyl)thymine; xT_d; 2 ) was converted into its phosphonate 3b as well as its 2-cyanoethyl phosphoramidite 3c . Both compounds were used for solid-phase synthesis of d[(xT)₁₂-T] ( 5 ), representing the first DNA fragment build up from 3′–5′-linked 2′-deoxy--β-D -xylonucleosides. Moreover, xT_d was introduced into the innermost part of the self-complementary dodecamer d(G-T-A-G-A-A-xT-xT-C-T-A-C)₂ (9). The CD spectrum of d[(xT)₁₂–T] ( 5 ) exhibits reversed Cotton effects compared to d(T₁₂) ( 6 ; see Fig. 1), implying a left-handed single strand. With d(A₁₂) ( 7 ) it could be hybridized to form a propably Left-handed double strand d(A₁₂) · d[(xT)₁₂–T] ( 7 · 5 ) which was confirmed by melting experiments in combination with temperature-dependent CD spectroscopy. While 5 was hydrolyzed by snake-venom phosphodiesterase, it was resistant towards calf-spleen phosphodiesterase. The modified, self-complementary duplex 9 was hydrolyzed completely by snake-venom phosphodiesterase, at a twelvefold slower rate compared to unmodified 8 ; calf-spleen phosphodiesterase hydrolyzed 9 only partially.     

Studies on the Base-Pairing Properties of N7-(2-Deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)guanine (N7Gd)

The base-pairing properties of N⁷-(2-deoxy-β-D -erythro-pentofuranosyl)guanine (N⁷G_d; 1 ) are investigated. The nucleoside 1 was obtained by nucleobase-anion glycosylation. The glycosylation reaction of various 6-alkoxy-purin-2-amines 3a - i with 2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-(4-toluoyl)-α-D -erythro-pentofuranosyl chloride ( 8 ) was studied. The N⁹/N⁷-glycosylation ratio was found to be 1:1 when 6-isopropoxypurin-2-amine ( 3d ) was used, whereas 6-(2-methoxyethoxy)purin-2-arnine ( 3i ) gave mainly the N⁹-nucleoside (2:1). Oligonucleotides containing compound 1 were prepared by solid-phase synthesis and hybridized with complementary strands having the four conventional nucleosides located opposite to N⁷G_d. According to T_m values and enthalpy data of duplex formation, a base pair between N⁷G_d and dG is suggested. From the possible N⁷G_d dG base pair motives, Hoogsteen pairing can be excluded as 7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosine forms the same stable base pair with N⁷G_d as dG.     

N6-(Carbamoylmethyl)-2′-deoxyadenosine,a rare DNA Constituent: Phosphoramidite Synthesis and Properties of Palindromic Dodecanucleotides

N⁶-(Carbamoylmethyl)-2′-deoxyadenosine ( 1 ), a modified nucleoside occurring in bacteriophage Mu, was synthesized by two different routes. Glycinamide was introdued by nucleophilic displacement of(2,4,6,-triisopro-pylphenyl)sulfonyloxy or ethylsulfinyl groups at C(6) of the purine moiety. Compound 1 was converted into the protected phosphoramidite 6b and employed in solid-phase synthesis of the self-complementary oligonucleotides 7–14 . Replacement of 2′-deoxyadenosine by 1 led to a strong decrease of the T_m values of the oligomers d(A-T)₆ ( 7 ) and d(A-T-G-A-A-G-C-T-T-C-A-T)( 10 ), respectively. As the oligemer 10 contains the recognition site d(A-A-G-C-T-T) of the endodeoxyribonuclease Hind III, it was subjected to sequence-specific hydrolysis experiments. Replacement of the first or second A_d by 1 prevented enzymatic phosphodiester hydrolysis (results with 11 and 12 ). In contrast, slow hydrolysis was observed if the less bulky N⁶-methyl-2′-deoxyadenosine replaced the second A _d residue (results with 14 ).     

Duplex Stabilization of DNA: Oligonucleotides containing 7-substituted 7-deazaadenines

The oligonucleotide building blocks 4b–d derived from 7-bromo-, 7-chloro-, and 7-methyl-substituted 7-deaza-2′-deoxyadenosines 3b–d were prepared. They were employed in the solid-phase synthesis of the oligonucleotides 7–25 . The dA residues of the homomer d(A₁₂), the alternating d[(A-T)₆], and the palindromic d(G-T-A-G-A-A-T-T-C-T-A-C) were replaced by 3b–d as well as by the parent 7-deaza-2′-deoxyadenosine ( 3a ). The melting profiles and CD spectra of oligonucleotide duplexes, showing this major groove modification, were measured, and the T_m values as well as the thermodynamic data were determined. It was found that small substituents such as Br, Cl, or Me introduced in the 7-position of a 7-deazaadenine residue increase the duplex stability compared to oligonucleotides containing adenine.     

7-Deazaguanine DNA: Oligonucleotides with hydrophobic or cationic side chains

The phosphoramidites 6b and 9 as well as the phosphonate 6a derived from 7-(hex-1-ynyl)- and 7-[5-(trifluoroacetamido)pent-1-ynyl]-substituted 7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosines 1 and 10 , respectively, were prepared (Scheme 1). They were employed in solid-phase oligodeoxynucleotide synthesis of the alternating octamers d(hxy⁷c⁷G-C)₄ ( 12 ), d(C-hxy⁷c⁷G)₄ ( 13 ), and d(npey ⁷c⁷G-C)₄ ( 15 ) as well as of other oligonucleotides (see 22 – 25 ; Table 2; hxy = hex-1-ynyl, npey = 5-aminopent-1-ynyl). The T_m values and the thermodynamic data of duplex formation were determined and correlated with the major-groove modification of the DNA fragments. A hexynyl side chain introduced into the 7-position of a 7-deazaguanine residue (see 1 ) was found to fit into the major groove without any protrusion. The incorporation of the (5-aminopent-1-ynyl)-modified 7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosine 2 into single-stranded oligomers of the type 24 and 25 did not lead to change in duplex stability compared to the parent oligonucleotides. The self-complementary oligomer 15 with alternating npey⁷c⁷G_d ( 2 ) and dC units did not lead to a cooperative melting, either due to orientational disorder or interaction of the 5-aminopent-1-ynyl moiety with a base or with phosphate residues nearby or on the opposite strand.     

8-Aza-7-deazaadenine N8- and N8-(β-D-2′-Deoxyribofuranosides): Building blocks for automated DNA synthesis and properties of oligodeoxyribonucleotides

Oligonucleotides with alternating 8-aza-7-deaza-2′-deoxyadenosine (= c⁷z⁸A_d2) and dT residues (see 11, 14 and 16 ) or 4-aminopyrazolo [3,4-d] pyrimidine N²-(β-D -2′-deoxyribofuranoside) (= c⁷z⁸A′_d¹); ( 3 ) and dT residues (see 12 ) have been prepared by solid-phase synthesis using P(III) chemistry, Additionally, palindromic oligomers derived from d(C-T-G-G-A-T-C-C-A-G) but containing 2 or 3 instead of dA (see 18 – 22 ) have been synthesized. Benzoylation of 2 or 3 , followed by 4,4′-dimethoxytritylation and subsequent phosphitylation yielded the methyl or the cyanoethyl phosphoramidites 8a,b and 9 . They were employed in automated. DNA synthesis. Alternating oligomers containing 2 or 3 showed increase dT_m values compared to those with dA, in particular 12 with an unusual N²-glycosylic bond. The palindromic oligomers 18 - 22 containing 2 or 3 instead of dA outside of the enzymic recognition side reduced the hydrolysis rate, replacement within d(G-A-T-C) abolished phosphodiester hydrolysis.     

Synthesis,Base Pairing,and Structural Transitions of Oligodeoxyribonucleotides Containing 8-Aza-2′-deoxyguanosine

The synthesis of oligonucleotides containing 8-aza-2′-deoxyguanosine (z⁸G_d; 1 ) or its N⁸-regioisomer z⁸G_d^* ( 2 ) instead of 2′-deoxyguanosine (G_d) is described. For this purpose, the NH₂ group of 1 and 2 was protected with a (dimethylamino)methylidene residue (→ 5, 6 ), a 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl group was introduced at 5′-OH (→ 7, 8 ), and the phosphonates 3a and 4 as well as the phosphoramidite 3b were prepared. These building blocks were used in solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis. The oligonucleotides were characterized by enzymatic hydrolysis and melting curves (T_m values). The thermodynamic data of the oligomers 12–15 indicate that duplexes were stabilized when 1 was replacing G_d. The aggregation of d(T-G-G-G-G-T) ( 18 ) was studied by RP 18 HPLC, gel electrophoresis and CD spectroscopy and compared with that of oligonucleotides containing an increasing number of z⁸G_d residues instead of G_d. Similarly to [d(C-G)]₃ ( 12a ), the hexamer d(C-z⁸G-C-z⁸G-C-G) ( 14 ) underwent salt-dependent B-Z transition.     

1,7-Dideaza-2′-deoxyadenosine: Building blocks for solid-phase synthesis and secondary structure of base-modified oligodeoxyribonucleotides

The 1,7-dideaza-2′-deoxyadenosine (c¹c⁷A_d; 1 ) was converted into building blocks 3a , b for solid-phase oligodeoxyribonucleotide synthesis. Testing various N-protecting groups – benzoyl, phenoxyacetyl, [(fluoren-9-yl)methoxy]carbonyl, and (dimethylamino)methylidene – only the latter two were found to be suitable ( 1 → 4b, d ). Ensuing 4,4′-dimethoxytritylation of 4d and phosphitylation afforded the 3′-phosphonate 3a or the 3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)diisopropylphosphoramidite] 3b . Self-complementary oligonucleotides with alternating dA or c¹c⁷A_d and dT residues ( 7 and 8 ) as well as palindromic oligomers such as d(C-G-C-G-c¹c⁷ A-c¹c⁷ A-T-T-C-G-C-G) ( 10 ) and d(G-T-A-G-c¹c⁷ A-c¹c⁷ A-T-T-C-T-A-C) ( 12 ) were synthesized. Duplex stability was decreased because 1 cannot form Watson-Crick or Hoogsteen base pairs if incorporated into oligonucleotides. On the other hand, the structural modifications in 10 and 12 forced these palindromic oligomers to form hairpin structures.     

N 7-DNA: Base-Pairing Properties of N 7-(2′-Deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-Substituted Adenine,Hypoxanthine, and Guanine in Duplexes with Parallel Chain Orientation

Oligonucleotides containing N ⁷-(2′-deoxy-β-D -erythro-pentofuranosyl)adenine ( 1 ), -hypoxanthine ( 2 ), and -guanine ( 3 ) were synthesized on solid-phase using phosphonate and phosphoramidite chemistry. As part of the synthesis of compound 2 , the nucleobase-anion glycosylation of various 6-alkoxypurines with 2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-(4-toluoyl)-α-D -erythro-pentofuranosyl chloride ( 5 ) was investigated. The duplex stability of oligonucleotides containing N ⁷-glycosylated purines opposite to regular pyrimidines was determined, and thermodynamic data were calculated from melting profiles. Oligodeoxyribonucleotide duplexes containing N ⁷-glycosylated adenine⋅T_d or N ⁷-glycosylated guanine⋅C_d base pairs are more stable in the case of parallel strand orientation than in the case of antiparallel chains.     

1-(2′-Deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)cytosine: Base pairing of oligonucleotides with a configurationally altered sugar-phosphate backbone

Solid-phase synthesis of the oligo(2′-deoxynucleotides) 19 and 20 containing 2′-deoxy-β-D -xylocytidine ( 4 ) is described. For this purpose, 1-(2-deoxy-β-D -threo-pentofuranosyl)cytosine ( = 1-(2-deoxy-β-D -xylofuranosyl)-cytosine; 4 ) was protected at its 4-NH₂ group with a benzoyl (→ 5 ) or an isobutyryl (→ 8 ) residue, and a dimethoxytrityl group was introduced at 5′-OH (→ 7, 10 ; Scheme 2). Compounds 7 and 10 were converted into the 3′-phosphonates 11a,b . While 19 could be hybridized with 21 and 22 under formation of duplexes with a two-nucleotide overhang on both termini ( 19 · 21 : T_m 29°; 19 · 22 : T_m 22°), the decamer 20 bearing four xC_d residues could no longer be hybridized with one of the opposite strands. Moreover, the oligonucleotides d[(xC)₈? C] ( 13 ), d[(xC)₄? C] ( 14 ), d[C? (xC)₄? C] ( 15 ), and d[C? (xC)₃? C] ( 16 ) were synthesized. While 13 exhibits an almost inverted CD spectrum compared to d(C₉) ( 17 ), the other oligonucleotides show CD spectra typical for regular right-handed single helices. At pH 5, d[(xC)₈? C] forms a stable hemi-protonated duplex which exhibits a T_m of 60° (d[(CH⁺)₉] · d(C₉): T_m 36°). The thermodynamic parameters of duplex formation of ( 13H ⁺ · 13 ) and ( 17H ⁺ · 17 ) were calculated from their melting profiles and were found to be identical in ΔH but differ in ΔS ( 13H ⁺ · 13 : ΔS = ?287 cal/K mol; 17H ⁺ · 17 : ΔS = ?172 cal/K mol).     

Duplex Stability of 7-Deazapurine DNA: Oligonucleotides containing 7-bromo- or 7-iodo-7-deazaguanine

The oligonucleotide building blocks, the phosphonates 1a, b and the phosphoramidites 2a, b derived from 7-iodo- and 7-bromo-7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosines 3a, b were prepared. They were employed in solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis of the alternating octamers d(Br⁷c⁷G-C)₄ ( 8 ) and d(I⁷c⁷G-C)₄ ( 9 ) as well as the homo-oligonucleotides d[(Br⁷c⁷G)₅-G] ( 11 ) and d[(I⁷c⁷G)₅-G] ( 12 ). The melting profiles and CD spectra of oligonucleotide duplexes were measured. The T_m values as well as the thermodynamic data were determined and correlated to the major-groove modification of this DNA. The self-complementary octamers 8 and 9 form more stable duplexes compared to the parent oligomer d(G-C)₄. The heteroduplex of d[(I⁷c⁷G)₅-G] ( 12 ) with d(C₆) is slightly destabilized (ΔT_m = ?12°) over that of d[(c⁷G)₅-G] with d(C₆). However, the complex of 12 with poly(C) is more stable than that of d[(c⁷G₅-G)] with poly(C).     

9-(2′-Deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenine Building Blocks for Solid-Phase Synthesis and Properties of Oligo(2′-deoxy-xylonucleotides)

The 9-(2′-deoxy-à-D -threo-pentofuranosyl)adenine (=9-(2′-deoxy-à-D -xylofuranosyl)adeninc, xA_d; 2) was protected at its 6-NH₂ group with cither a benzoyl ( 5a ) or a (dimethyfamino)methylidcnc ( 6a ) residue and with a dimethoxytntyl group at 5′-OH ( 5b, 6b ). Compounds 5b and 6b were then converted into the 3′-phosphonates 5c and 6c ; moreover, the 2-cyanoethyl phosphoramidite 6d was synthesized starting from fib. The DNA building blocks were used for solid-phase synthesis of d[(xA)₁₂2-A] ( 8 ). The latter was hybridized with d[(xT)12-T] (T_m = 35°); in contrast, with d(T₁₂), complex formation was not observed. Moreover, xAd and xTd were introduced into the self-complementary dodccamcr d(G-T-A-G-A-A-T-T-C-T-A-C) ( 12 ) at different positions lo give the oligomcrs 13 – 16 . All oligonucleotides were characterised by temperature-dependent CD and UV spectroscopy, and in addition, 14 by T-jump experiments. From concentration-dependent T_m measurements, the thermodynamic paraneters of the melting as well as the tendency of hairpin formation of the oligonucleotides were deduced. Oligemer 14 was hydrolyzed by snake-venom phosphodiesterase in a discontinuous way implying a fast hydrolysis of unmodified 3′- and 5′-flanks followed by a slow hydrolysis of the remaining modified tetramer. In contrast to this, oligonucleotide 16 was hydrolyzed in a continuous reaction. In both cases, calf-spleen phosphodiesterase hydrolyzed the oligomer only marginally.     

Base‐Pairing Properties of 8‐Aza‐7‐deazaadenine Linked via the 8‐Position to the DNA Backbone

The base‐pairing properties of oligonucleotides containing the unusual N⁸‐linked 8‐aza‐7‐deazaadenine 2′‐deoxyribonucleoside ( 2a ) as well as its 7‐bromo derivative 2b are described. The oligonucleotides were prepared by solid‐phase synthesis employing phosphoramidite chemistry. Compound 2a forms a strong base pair with T_d for which a reverse Watson‐Crick pair is suggested (Fig. 9). Compound 2a displays a lower N‐glycosylic‐bond stability than its N⁹‐nucleoside and shows strong stacking interactions when incorporated into oligonucleotides. The replacement of 2′‐deoxyadenosine by 2a does not significantly influence the duplex stability. However, this behavior depends on the position of the incorporation.     

Oligonucleotides Containing 7‐Deaza‐2′‐deoxyinosine as Universal Nucleoside: Synthesis of 7‐Halogenated and 7‐Alkynylated Derivatives,Ambiguous Base Pairing,and Dye Functionalization by the Alkyne–Azide ‘Click’ Reaction

Oligonucleotides containing 7‐deaza‐2′‐deoxyinosine derivatives bearing 7‐halogen substituents or 7‐alkynyl groups were prepared. For this, the phosphoramidites 2b – 2g containing 7‐substituted 7‐deaza‐2′‐deoxyinosine analogues 1b – 1g were synthesized (Scheme 2). Hybridization experiments with modified oligonucleotides demonstrate that all 2′‐deoxyinosine derivatives show ambiguous base pairing, as 2′‐deoxyinosine does. The duplex stability decreases in the order C_d>A_d>T_d>G_d when 2b – 2g pair with these canonical nucleosides (Table 6). The self‐complementary duplexes 5′‐d(F⁷c⁷I‐C)₆, d(Br⁷c⁷I‐C)₆, and d(I⁷c⁷I‐C)₆ are more stable than the parent duplex d(c⁷I‐C)₆ (Table 7). An oligonucleotide containing the octa‐1,7‐diyn‐1‐yl derivative 1g , i.e., 27 , was functionalized with the nonfluorescent 3‐azido‐7‐hydroxycoumarin ( 28 ) by the Huisgen–Sharpless–Meldal cycloaddition ‘click’ reaction to afford the highly fluorescent oligonucleotide conjugate 29 (Scheme 3). Consequently, oligonucleotides incorporating the derivative 1g bearing a terminal C?C bond show a number of favorable properties: i) it is possible to activate them by labeling with reporter molecules employing the ‘click’ chemistry. ii) Space demanding residues introduced in the 7‐position of the 7‐deazapurine base does not interfere with duplex structure and stability (Table 8). iii) The ambiguous pairing character of the nucleobase makes them universal probes for numerous applications in oligonucleotide chemistry, molecular biology, and nanobiotechnology.     

3-Deazaguanine N7- and N9-(2′-Deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosides): Building Blocks for Solid-Phase Synthesis and Incorporation into Oligodeoxyribonucleotides

Oligonucleotides continuing 3-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosine ( I ) or its N⁷-regioisomer 2 were prepared by solid-phase synthesis using P¹¹¹ chemistry. Protection of ¹ or ² with N,N V-dimethylformamide diethyl acetal followed by 4,4′-dimethoxytritylation afforded imidazo[4,5-c]pyridines 10b and 11b , respectively. The latter were converted into the 3′-phosphonates 10c or lie, respectively; the cyanoethyl N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite 10d was also prepared. The oligonucleotide building blocks were employed in automated solid-phase synthesis. 1 he self-complementary oligomers 13 , 15 , and 17 were prepared and characterized by enzymatic hydrolysis with snake-venom phosphodiesterase followed by alkaline phosphatase. There CD spectra exhibited the general structure of a B-DNA.     

Oligonucleotides Containing Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines: The Influence of 7-Substituted 8-Aza-7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosines on the Duplex Structure and Stability

Oligonucleotides containing 7-substituted 8-aza-7-deazaguanines (=6-amino-1,5-dihydro-4H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-ones) were prepared by automated solid-phase synthesis. A series of 7-alkynylated 8-aza-7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosines (see 4a – d ) were synthesized with the 7-iodonucleoside 3c as starting material and by the Pd⁰/Cu^I-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction with various alkynes. Phosphoramidites were prepared from the 7-substituted 8-aza-7-deaza-2′-deoxyguanosine derivatives carrying halogeno, cyano, and hexynyl substituents. From the melting profiles of oligonucleotide duplexes, the T_m values as well as the thermodynamic data were determined. A significant duplex stabilization by the 7-substituents was observed for the DNA⋅DNA duplexes, but not in the case of DNA⋅RNA hybrids.     

3-Deaza-2′-deoxyadenosine: Synthesis via 4-(methylthio)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine 2′-deoxyribonucleosides and properties of oligonucleotides

The synthesis of 4-(methylthio)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine 2′-deoxy-β-D -ribonucleosides 2 and 9 and the conversion of the N¹-isomer 2 into the 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxyribonucleoside 3a or (via 7 ) 3-deaza-2′-deoxyadenosine ( 1 ) is described. Phosphonate building blocks of 1 were employed in solid-phase synthesis of self-complementary base-modified oligonucleotides. Their properties were studied with regard to duplex stability and hydrolysis by the restriction enzyme Eco RI.     

Preparation and Structure of Melemium Melem Perchlorate HC6N7(NH2)3ClO4·C6N7(NH2)3

A new perchlorate salt of melem (2,6,10‐triamino‐s‐heptazine, C₆N₇(NH₂)₃) was obtained from an aqueous solution of HClO₄ at lower concentration than the ones reported for the synthesis of melemium perchlorate monohydrate (HC₆N₇(NH₂)₃)ClO₄·H₂O. The new salt was identified as melemium melem perchlorate (HC₆N₇(NH₂)₃)ClO₄·C₆N₇(NH₂)₃ representing a melem adduct of water free melemium perchlorate. The crystal structure was solved by single‐crystal X‐ray methods ( , no. 2, Z = 2, a = 892.1(2), b = 992.7(2), c = 1201.5(2) pm, α = 112.30(3), β = 96.96(3), γ = 95.38(3)°, V = 965.8(4)·10⁶ pm³, 4340 data, 387 parameters, R1 = 0.039). Melemium melem perchlorate crystallizes in a layer‐like structure containing both protonated HC₆N₇(NH₂)₃ and non protonated C₆N₇(NH₂)₃ moieties in the coplanar layers as well as perchlorate ions between them, all of which being interconnected by hydrogen bonds. Vibrational spectroscopic investigations (FTIR and Raman) of the salt were conducted.